Perhaps the only thing worse than being shot in the line of duty is being shot with your own weapon. While every call does not involve the use of a firearm, the responding officer brings at least one into the mix. That service pistol could be the focus of an attack should things go sideways.
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While improved weapon retention training has contributed to saving many officers’ lives, there is little doubt that quality retention holsters can help keep the duty pistol out of an offender’s hands. Many duty holster designs have come and gone. A few classics are still with us. Here is a look at some of the current duty holsters that offer increased weapon protection.
BlackHawk Epoch
Designed specifically to work with popular weapon lights such as the Streamlight TLR-1 and the SureFire X300, the BlackHawk Epoch holster has an internal locking feature that hooks on the ejection port for a high degree of grab resistance. For additional security, the holster uses a Pivot Guard that covers the back of the slide. When released, the Pivot Guard springs out of the way and will not accidentally snap back to prevent reholstering of the firearm.
It is available with a basket-weave finish in addition to plain and matte black finishes. The MSRPs for these holsters start at $108.
For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732.
BlackHawk SERPA
Another BlackHawk duty holster, the SERPA Auto Lock automatically locks a gun in and prevents its removal until the SERPA release is activated. The holsters use a Pivot Guard to lock the gun in at a second point. Even with both of these features engaged, an officer can draw the duty gun quickly.
The standard holster is available for most of the commonly carried duty pistols. For departments issuing the Night-Ops Xiphos weapon light, there is a SERPA holster that will accommodate that as well. Basketweave, plain and matte finishes are all available. The MSRPs for these holsters start at $108.
For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732.
Blade-Tech WRS Level 3
Known for high-quality concealment and competition holsters, Blade-Tech also offers top-notch duty holsters. The WRS Level 3 offers a natural draw that is not hampered by needlessly complex security devices. Using the company’s Tactical Modular Mount System, an officer can move the WRS holster from a duty belt to a tactical vest or thigh rig without the need to remove the pistol. The holsters can also be had in a variety of colors other than black to match a tactical team’s uniforms. The MSRPs for these holsters start at $125.
For more information, visit blade-tech.com or call 877-331-5793.
Dara Duty Holster
Using thick Kydex and Melonite-finished steel, the Duty Holster from Dara Holsters & Gear is backed by a “lifetime no B.S. warranty.” These rigs use an internal rubber retention system combined with a rotating strap that is operated by the thumb during the draw. These holsters are available for a broad range of firearms, and they are customizable for duty belt size, color and light/laser attachments. The MSRP for these holsters is $72.
For more information, visit daraholsters.com or call 919-665-5316.
Gould & Goodrich K391
Gould & Goodrich has made duty holsters for many years, and the K391 is a triple-retention successor to the classic models. It uses a rotating hood and an anti-blade device to help secure the gun from an offender’s grab. The K391 is available for many of the popular duty pistols in use today. The K391 has a suggested retail price of $166.
For more information on this holster, visit gouldusa.com or call 800-277-0732.
Safariland 070 SSIII
The Safariland 070 SSIII holster is likely the most successful retention holster ever fielded by law enforcement. The holster is just as good today as it was decades ago. Designed by Bill Rogers, the 070 has been made by Safariland since the mid-1980s. Countless officers owe their lives—at least in part—to this holster.
Unlike many of the more modern retention holsters, the 070 relies on snaps and a particular motion to draw the gun. With practice, the 070 is as fast as any other security holster. The MSRP starts at $147.
For more information, visit safariland.com or call 800-347-1200.
Safariland Model 6360
Using the company’s popular Automatic Locking System (ALS), the Model 6360 holster from Safariland is one of the most popular holsters in service today. The rig uses a rotating hood to secure the weapon and a separate physical barrier to deter a suspect from snatching the gun from the holster. An additional device called the Sentry further secures the weapon in the holster. The MSRP starts at $147.
For more information, visit safariland.com or call 800-347-1200.
Safariland 7360 7TS
The Model 7360 is a new holster from Safariland that is similar in configuration to the 6360. It uses an ALS to help secure the gun, and it also has an optional Sentry system. However, the 7TS uses a new nylon blend material that is extremely durable, impervious to temperature changes and weather, yet is completely non-abrasive to the gun’s finish. The MSRP starts at $110.
For more information, visit safariland.com or call 800-347-1200.
Uncle Mike’s Pro-3 Slim Line
The Pro-3 Slim Line holster from Uncle Mike’s offers a traditional thumb break combined with an internal locking system to increase the officer’s ability to retain the weapon during a disarming attempt. The Pro-3 can be had in a variety of finishes including plain nylon and basket weave. The MSRP starts at $97.
For more information, visit unclemikes.com or call 800-423-3537.
